Many of you have asked where in the world I've been.

All I know is that after 7 plus years of blogging and a different lappy, which I don’t like, I seem to have lost my blogging fervor.

Someday, when you least expect it, I will post again.

For those of you still waiting I say thank you.

Meanwhile, I am rather prolific on twitter. Find me: @KeethaB
.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Eclectic Company - Waitin' on a New Adventure!!
.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
.

Friday, March 25, 2011

When I Say Frozen Tundra I Actually Mean Subarctic Taiga, AND Not to be Outdone by the South We've Got Spring Flowers Too!!!

.

I'm an Earth Science teacher. Well, I WAS an Earth Science teacher until the folks 'round those there parts realized the ONLY way to rid their children of MY influence was to SHUT THE DOORS of the school, so that is JUST what they did. (Oh I do kid - - - they DID also have the option of locking me up.)

Anyway, I'm an Earth Science teacher - - - I know what the Tundra is, and I know I don't REALLY live on the frozen Tundra.


The true Tundra circles and covers the north pole.

It has permafrost - - - soil that remains frozen YEAR AROUND and can be found even in midsummer just inches below the surface. If I truly lived on the frozen Tundra, I could save myself the cost of running a refrigerator - - - all I'd have to do is dig a hole in my back yard and place my food in it.

There are no trees on the Tundra - - - the shallow, nutrient poor unfrozen portion of the soil simply cannot support them.

The plants on the Tundra are
willows, sedges, cushion plants, and grasses.



No, our REAL biome is the southern border of the Taiga - - - or Northern Coniferous Forest.

The Taiga is below and circles the Tundra.

We've got trees - - - lots of pines and also hardwoods.

We don't have permafrost, no matter HOW it may seem to those of you who are already picnicking in your back yards, swimming in your pools, and lying in the sun roasting your skin to a beautiful golden brown.

So No, we do NOT really live on the Frozen Tundra - - - but it is just so fun to say that I'm sure I shall keep on saying it. Besides, would you KNOW what I meant if I said the Frozen Taiga???

I didn't think so.

And just so all you southern bloggers don't feel TOO sorry for us up here on the Frozen Tundra I want to tell you that suddenly, and without any ado whatsoever OUR Tundra spring flowers have begun to bloom.

Yes - - - we have FLOWERS and it's only the 25th of March!!!

It's gotta be some kind of record.

Today in my very own yard I found:



Pansies, or their near kin, in full bloom right beside Waldo!!!


DAISIES blooming right in the middle of our front yard!!!


Just looky here! The SHRUB by our front door is flowering too!!!!


And my personal favorite - - - VIOLETS springing up on the edge of our driveway!!!

Happy spring folks!!!

I'm linking the post to the No Rules Linky Party over at Wit Behind the Ears.

(Photo Credits: Tundra - bio.miami.edu, Taiga - biomesfirst.wikispace.com)

.

16 comments:

Doris Sturm said...

That was very interesting - thanks, teacher! I would not mind living up there because I can handle the cold a lot better than this heat! (It's already getting to me.)

The first photo is so beautiful - it's perfect for painting. The Desert blooms seemingly overnight too and it's magnificent when it does!

Thanks again for the information and have a great weekend! Love your flowers by the way ;-)

March 25, 2011 2:07 PM

Ann in the UP said...

Your spring flowers are not only beautiful, they are useful, too! (I that they may have missed a bet when they failed to lock you up.) What a nut!

kyooty said...

That's not any kind of artic I know? :)
Real tundraish has covered patio chairs.LOL

Holly said...

LOL! You are so funny!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

HEHEHEHEHE!
Keetha you are too funny!
Tundra or not it sure seems like it is! Can you make up a prayer for us that will bring us some true flowers?
Have a great weekend and don't forget to water those flowers!
hehehe.
Cindy

BETHANY said...

Beautiful flowers! ;)

Contemplating Cadie said...

YOU ARE A NUT! Love it!
You know what? (And I could not make this up.) I'm sitting outside, bare-feet propped up, listening to the ice cream truck roll by. Oh, and we actually planted flowers today that you can't eat out of.

I feel smug.

(But I'm totally going to have my kiddo read this post, entertaining and educational!)

Carrie said...

Cute :)

Gail said...

Ha ha! Your spring flowers are prettier than mine!

Sue McPeak said...

I hope they did not throw a way the key because you sure need to be free to post and talk tundra! That was so fun and informative. I bet your students love learning with you! Now, I don't want to burst your bubble, but your violets are lible to get crushed into the tundra if they don't move outta those tire tracks. I'd say you are wise to get your spring kicks anyway you can. Thanks for stopping by CITexas Gal and catching some Texas sunshine!

lilmomma said...

Hahahahaha! Goodness, I never knew that good ol' Wisconsin had those ever rare ceramic dish plants. Do you think next time you visit, you could bring me as bulb or two? I would really love to start growing my own dishes. ;)

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Keetha I enjoyed the lesson! Of course i'm loving all your 'spring' flowers! You are too funny my friend! hugs, Linda

Cortney said...

Ha! That was too cute. I guess you're ready for Spring whether the weather is or not! (That's from the English teacher in me!)

Unknown said...

Love your flowers!!

Kristin - The Goat said...

I love what Annie said LOL
You had me hootin' and hollarin' over here at your flowers. too funny. I loved it.

Divine Theatre said...

Goodness! You are so silly!
If there were more teachers like you (parents too) I wouldn't be home schooling my child!
Thanks for stopping by my measly blog. I am your newest floower!

xoxo
Andie